Thanks to mpb for sponsoring this video Hi I'm Gordon from camera labs and in This video I'll show you how a premium F 1.2 lens may be more affordable than you Thought these are the fantasy lenses Most of us can only dream of typically Costing several Grand new but with some Canny shopping you could actually have One in your collection without Remortgaging the house or selling a Kidney it all came about when I first Reviewed Canon's RF 85mm F2 a short tell Photo lens for their ESR mirrorless System launched in 2020 and currently Costing around 600 or pounds now this is Pitched as their more affordable 85 for The ESR system and that's certainly true When you compare it to the high-end rf85 1.2 L which currently weighs in at about 3 000 but several of you noticed that The older ef-85 1.2 L Mark II could now Be bought used for a roughly similar Price to a brand new RF 85 F2 yep Canon's last Mighty F 1.2 Ln for dslrs Which originally cost over two grand When launched in 2006 is now selling for Less than 700 pound used and easily Adapted to new mirrorless bodies Consider my interest well and truly Peaked to confirm the current pricing I Headed over to mpb.com where I Personally buy and sell all of my own Used photo gear and I was pleasantly Surprised to discover that you could
Indeed buy a used Canon ef-85 1.2 L Mark II in good to excellent condition from As little as 624 pounds making it Roughly the same price as a new rf85 F2 Now I'm quoting pounds as I'm based in The UK but mpb also operates across Europe and the US so how do the lenses Compare as the sponge of this video mpb Lonely used samples of the ef-85 1.2 L Mark II and the rf85 F2 as well as a Used EOS R5 body to test them on now at The time I made this video the EOS R5 Body cost around 4 300 pounds new or From around 3 300 pounds in excellent Condition from mpb so that saves you a Grand or enough to buy you a couple of Quite nice used lenses so all of the Gear that you're going to see in this Video is from mpb's used stock and as You'll see it's in excellent condition So stick around and I'll show you how The two lenses directly compare for Landscape portrait macro video and of Course that bokeh let's start with their Vital Statistics with the rf-85 F2 on The left and the ef-85 1.2 L2 on the Right you can see how the RF version on The left is actually a bit longer Although once you add the EF to ESR Adapter to the 1.2 L this position is Reversed unsurprisingly though given the Difference in maximum apertures the EF 1.2 L on the right is notably wider and This is also reflected in their
Respective filter threads 67 versus 72 Mil pick them up though and the Difference becomes pretty dramatic 500 Versus 1025 grams making the older EF Version over double the weight and That's before even adding the adapter There's simply no getting away from the Fact that an F 1.2 aperture needs a lot Of glass and that in turn makes for a Much heavier lens in this case tipping a Kilogram and making a body feel much More front heavy in use especially when It's mounted on the end of an adapter in Terms of build quality you're comparing One of Canon's more affordable models Against one from its luxury L Series but Don't assume that the EF 1.2 L is Necessarily tougher or better sealed as Far as I can tell neither lenses were The sealed and with their inner barrels Extending while focusing you'll need to Take care of both under wet or Dusty Conditions that said as an lens the Ef-85 1.2 L2 is supplied with both the Lens hood and a pouch accessories that You'll have to buy as extras for the RF 85 F2 model in terms of controls both Are equipped with motor assisted manual Focusing rings and while they do feel Quite different in use both of them are Smooth and easy to adjust like Canon's Other native mirrorless lenses the Rf-85f2 shows a manual focus distance Scale digitally on the camera's screen
While the EF 1.2l indicates it through An actual window on the barrel since Both lenses do employ motor assisted Manual focusing though you can't Manually preset a distance on either With the camera power off you can see me Turning the ear focusing ring here Without power has absolutely no effect Both lenses have manual focus switches But the RF version adds two more Switches to enable Optical stabilization And also to adjust the focusing range The RF lens additionally Sports a Customizable control ring on the end of The barrel that can be assigned to say Adjusting the iso sensitivity which Brings me to one of the biggest feature Differences between the two lenses the Rf-85 F2 includes Optical image Stabilization whereas the ef-85 1.2 L2 Does not if you're using a body without Stabilization of its own this obviously Gives the RF lens an advantage and in my Test the optical I is did indeed allow Me to handhold shutter speeds around Three stops slower than without but if You have an EOS body with sensorship Ibis you can enjoy additional Compensation with either lens mounted Here's the view with the rf-85 F2 on an EOS R5 with all stabilization disabled Before switching it on from the lens Barrel which activates both Optical is In the lens and sensor Ibis working
Together as indicated by the plus next To the hand icon at the top it's Certainly steadied The View here for Comparison here's the ef-85 1.2 L2 again On the R5 without Ibis before enabling It in a menu and returning to a steadier View now you're looking at Ibis alone Here and I'd say it actually looks Roughly as good as the previous example Aided by the sheer heft of the lens Making it less wobbly to hand hold to Start with and here's a comparison when Filming video with the RF lens on the Right using both Optical is and sensor Ibis and the EF lens on the left using Ibis alone I'd say the EF lens with Ibiza alone is actually doing pretty Well here so I wouldn't worry too much About not having Optical is in this lens Unless you have an unstabilized body oh And for the record for still photography The rf85 with Optical is and Ibis gave Me four to five stops of compensation Versus around three on the ef-85 1.2 L With Ibis alone next for focusing and You're looking at the RF 85 F2 at f2 Pulling focus on the EOS R5 with a Single airfare in the middle this lens Employs one of Canon's STM Motors and While it's not the fastest focuser here It's still fairly Swift for comparison Here's the ef-85 1.2 at 1.2 doing the Same Focus pulls with its ring type USM Motor which is visibly slower now you
Might say it's a bit unfair as the lens Is open to a larger aperture here so I Repeated the test with the lens closed To F2 where it does remain a little more Leisurely than the RF version to find Out if this is a big deal in a portrait Or invent environment though here's the R f85 F2 refocusing on me as I stand at Different distances now this is a single AF mode so the lens is having to refocus Every time the shutter is half pressed And for comparison here's the ef-85 1.2 Wide open to 1.2 and while it is Technically a tad slower than the RF Lens here I'd say it makes little to no Practical difference for this kind of Work we're talking Split Second Differences and if you need to lens that Responds instantly you'll be better off With one of the rfl zooms maybe you Prefer to film video so here's a movie Test with the 85 F2 where the racking Speed is now set in the menus and here The default value is providing a smooth Gradual Focus pull between the bottles And now here's the ef-85 1.2 doing the Same test but at F 1.2 where again the Actual menus are dictating the response And racking speed making this a rough Draw using the same default menu Settings I should however mention that The older EF lens can become more Audible when focusing for video So if you're recording audio on location
It is best to use an external microphone With this lens sticking with video both Lenses are ideal for presenting pieces To camera with a really blurred Background you're looking at the rf85 F2 Wide open to F2 here with the EOS R5's Face and eye tracking and now for the Blurrier background that's possible from The ef-85 1.2 when it's wide open at F 1.2 both lenses actually took a few Seconds to initially focus on me but Once they did they codeify them with any Movements back and forth now for Focus Breathing starting with the rf-85 F2 Manually focusing from Infinity to the Closest distance and back again where You can see the view becoming magnified As I focus closer sorry for the mark on The sensor this was filmed at F16 as you Can see there's quite a significant Reduction in the field of view but Equally it's quite a broad focusing Range for comparison here's the ef-85 1.2 L again focusing from Infinity to Its closest distance and back again Where the view may also reduce but not By anywhere near as much as the RF lens That I showed you a minute ago but the Ef-85 1.2 has a much shorter focusing Range so if I roughly match it with the RF lens here you'll see that their Breathing actually becomes roughly Similar note that some of Canon's latest Mirrorless bodies feature optional Focus
Breathing compensation for video for Specific higher end lenses but so far This does not include the RF 85mm F2 so No advantage to that model there okay Now to compare their actual Optical Quality starting with my standard Distant landscape scene angled so that Details run right into the corners due To the very bright aperture of the EF Lens I had to actually photograph this Scene under dimmer conditions than Normal towards Sunset I'm starting with The ef-85 F 1.2 L wide open at 1.2 here And if we take a closer look in the Middle of the frame where the camera was Focused you'll see details are pretty Sharp right out of the gate let's now Close the F lens to F2 to and compare it On the left to the rf85 F2 also F2 seen Here on the right I'd say that closing The aperture on the EF lens to F2 has Reduced some of the colored fringing From high contrast areas but the RF Version on the right has started strong At f2 with the result that's a fraction Crisper to my eyes but not enough to Swing a decision closing them both are Further stop to F 2.8 sees a very minor Boost in contrast and sharpness with the RF lens still a fraction in the lead but For normal use they're very similar here When you're examining the middle of the Frame let's now return to the ef-85 1.2 Here at F 1.2 viewed in isolation before
Moving into the far corner where you can See the details become softer remember This is with the lens focused in the Middle of the frame though so we're also Judging field flatness here now let's Have the ef-85 close to F2 on the left And the rf-85 also F2 on the ride where You'll see it's much sharper out of the Gate in the corners as I've gradually Close the apertures on both lenses You'll see the EF lens slowly improve But you're looking at closing it to F4 To F 5.6 before the older lens will Match the corners of the newer model Checking the opposite corner of the Frame also lets us compare potential for Coma with both lenses Turning Point Sources of light into unwanted Wing Shapes at their respective maximum Apertures although it's only in the Extremes and is mostly corrected at Apertures of f4 or smaller before moving On one final comparison both taken with The ef-85 1.2 at F 1.2 you're looking at The corner results here with the Focusing in the middle of the frame on The left and in the corner of the frame On the right as you can see the version On the right is much improved indicating The field isn't as flat as the RF lens Now this isn't a problem if you're Focusing on the desired area but if you Want an image to be sharp across the Frame from corner to corner you should
Close the EF lens down to at least F4 Next for the bread and butter of an 85 Millimeter lens close range portraiture And I'll start with a full view taken With both lenses from the same distance So their maximum aperture is so F 1.2 For the EF lens and F2 for the RF as You'd expect the EF 1.2 is delivering a Much shallower depth of field here Resulting in much greater separation From the background but if if I now Close the EF lens to F2 and continue the Comparison you'll notice it's still Delivering quite different looking Blurring in the background softer less Defined and less distracting as a result Now as you close the aperture you will Of course begin to see the impact of the Aperture blades on point sources of Light but I'd personally say that the EF 1.2 lens is still delivering a nicer Looking background what do you think Taking a closer look with both lenses Back at their maximum apertures shows That both are capable of capturing very Crisp details on my face although in a Repeat of my landscape test earlier the RF version on the right has a little More contrast and sharpness here for Beer at the cost of making my wrinkles Look even worse while portrait Photographers may prefer the rendering Of the F 1.2 lens though looking closely Here does reveal some quite visible
Fringing due to Loca and this isn't Exactly a high contrast scene either now This proved hard to reduce in post even Using the ca tools on the raw file so do Be worn now the effect can be reduced by Closing the aperture but is still Visible here's another portrait Comparison again toggling between the Two lenses at their maximum apertures to See the potential for bokeh blobs in the Background both were shot from the same Distance but the flickering nature of The LEDs have resulted in different Color balances so try and look beyond That and the color of my face and Concentrate on the background rendering Instead most obviously the ef-85 1.2 is Generating larger bokeh blobs from the Same distance but equally striking is The rendering of the windows shutters With the larger aperture lens delivering A softer more blurred and ultimately Less distracting background I certainly Prefer it when viewing the whole image But looking a little closer again Reveals those cursed Loca fringes again Continuing The bokeh Blob theme let's Now alternate between the two lenses Again at their maximum apertures but This time at the closest focusing Distance of the ef-85 1.2 lens and That's approximately 95 centimeters from The focal plate or just under a meter With both lenses from the same distance
The EF 1.2 is obviously generating much Larger bokeh blobs and with softer edges Too both lenses are reasonably well Behaved here though and while there's The usual elongated shapes towards the Corners there's little to no onion ring Textures within the blobs as I gradually Close the aperture of the EF lens on the Left and the RF on the right you can Also see the impact of their respective Aperture blade systems returning to the 85 1.2 version here wide open it's no Surprise to see it delivering the bigger Bokeh blobs when both lenses are at the Same distance but remember this is as Close as the old lens would focus again Around one meter away in contrast the Rf-85 can focus almost three times Closer allowing up to one to two or Fifty percent magnification in turn Allowing it to deliver much larger bokeh Blobs this shot was taken at the minimum Focusing distance of 35 centimeters Providing the RF lens with useful Close-up capabilities that are lacking From the EF model the RF lens makes this Even more usable with a focused limiter Switch on the barrel okay that's all the Results that I have for you now so have You made a choice between the two lenses Yet remember they cost roughly the same Price if you buy a used copy of the EF 1.2 now the advantages of the newer Rf-85 are sharper results in the corners
At large apertures much closer focusing Optical stabilization and compatibility With the fastest burst modes on the best EOS R bodies while on the downside There's no lens hood and a more clinical Sharpness with less potential for Blurring obviously than the F 1.2 model If you'd like to know more about this Lens I've got a separate review all About it meanwhile the pros of the older Ef-85 1.2 L model 2 are the potential For much shower depth to field effects With softer less distracting rendering Even when set to the same aperture Values while on the downside of visible Local at those large apertures lack of Optical image stabilization heavier Weight unlimited burst speeds on the Latest bodies now I can address some of The optical deficiencies of the 85 1.2 L With its successor the ef-85 1.4 L is Launched in 2017 and in fact the Company's last premium portrait lens Designed for dslrs it was better Corrected and featured Optical image Stabilization but while certainly Capable of very blurred backgrounds it Lacked the ultimate bragging rights of An F 1.2 aperture and as a more recent Lens it still commands a higher price of Around 1700 pound new or around 1 000 Pound used from mpb now there are of Course a multitude of alternative 85s Especially for the EF Mount but much
Fewer with an F 1.2 aperture especially When circled by the red ring of Canon's Prestigious L Series now I'm not one to Eulogize and Order lens out of pure Nostalgia or some sort of perceived Respect but for me the ef-85 1.2 L Mark II really does strike that perfect Balance between between an optical Design that's new enough to compete with The latest models on quality but old Enough to enjoy decent Savings in the Used Market if you've always fantasized Like me about owning a high-end large Aperture lens but don't want to drop two Or three grand on the latest new models A used ef-85 1.2 L Mark II will satisfy Those desires without breaking the bank It's the bokeh monster you can genuinely Afford in your collection if this sounds Like a good plan to you head over to Mpb.com to compare the prices of used Gear or indeed to get a quote on any Gear that you're not using anymore I've Been buying and selling with them for Years and I've always been very Satisfied with their service so let me Know about any used Bargains that you Find or that you'd like me to compare in A future video thanks for watching Thanks again to mpb for sponsoring and I'll see you next time bye
